Kippah: Difference between revisions

A Kippah or Yarmulke is a religious head covering worn to inspire fear of heaven in the mind of the one wearing it as it reminds the wearer that G-d is above a person all the time. <ref> Gemara in shabbat 156b </ref>

# It is a proper and praiseworthy practice to wear a Kippah even when one walks less than 4 amot <ref> Sh”t Mahari MeBruna 34 permits if one walks less than 4 amot. However the Bach 2 implies from Rambam (Deot 5:6; More Nevuchim 3:52) that less than 4 [[amot]] is also forbidden. Taz 8:3, Bchor Shor ([[Shabbat]] 118b), and Birkei Yosef 2:3 concur. Magan Avraham 2:6 writes that it’s only a Midat Chasidut to wear it for walking less than 4 amot. </ref> or one stands or sits for the time it takes to walk 4 [[amot]] <ref> Sh”T Mahari MeBruna 34 permits if one is just sitting and Magan Avraham 282:8 permits whether one is sitting or standing. Bechor Shor ([[Shabbat]] 118b), Birkei Yosef 2:3, Halacha Brurah 2:11 are strict as long as one waits the time it takes to walk 4 amot. </ref>, whether one is outside or indoors. <ref> Sh”t Maharshal 72 permits one not to wear a Kippah indoors. Knesset Hagedolah 2, Bear Heteiv 2:5, and Olat Tamid 2:5 quote the Maharshal. However, the Bach 2 argues on this distinction. Eliyah Rabba 2:4, Mishna Brurah 2:10, and Halacha Brurah 2:11 concur. </ref>

# One isn’t allowed to make Brachot without a Kippah, but if by accident (for example, the kippah fell off and one didn’t notice) one made a bracha without a Kippah, the bracha is acceptable after the fact. <Ref> Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 1:5 say that since the Rosh (on Brachot 60b), Rambam (Tefilah 7:4), and S”A 4 hold that the order of the Brachot is precise and Oter Israel BeTifarah is made for having a head covering, implying that the other Brachot can be made without a Kippah (Gra 8:6 makes similar implication from Rif). Nonetheless, Masechet Soferim has a dispute whether one can say Hashem’s name without a Kippah and Rabbenu Yerucham (quoted by Bet Yosef 91:3), Or Zaruha 2:43, S”A 91:3 rule stringently. Lechem Yehuda (Tefilah 5:5) argues that it seems that S”A 91:5 holds that one in [[Shemoneh Esrei]] is forbidden not to have a Kippah. Perhaps S”A (retracting from his ruling in Bet Yosef like Rabbenu Yerucham) rules with the term “Yesh Omrim” and then an anonymous opinion and so we should follow the anonymous opinion. Yet, Sh”t Yabia Omer O”C 6:15(3) rejects this because S”A 206:3 is very clear that one can’t say Hashem’s name without a Kippah and S”A 91:5 meant there’s an added reason to wear a Kippah in Shemona Esrah. Sh”t Maharshal 72 says that perhaps from halacha it’s permitted but since the Minhag is not to say a bracha without a Kippah one shouldn’t be lenient (Chida in Sh”t Chaim Shaal 2:35 and Kiseh Rachamim (Masechet Soferim 14) writes similarly). Gra (Biur HaGra 8:6 and Meorei Or (Bear Sheva 15b)) writes it’s only a Midat Chasidut and if there’s a bracha which one will miss if he gets a Kippah (such as if he just heard thunder) he can make the bracha. Sh”t Yabia Omer 6:15(6) says Bedieved one fulfills his bracha. </ref>

# There is a pious practice to wear a Kippah to sleep and if it’s falls off when one is sleeping, one doesn’t have to be concerned with it. <Ref> Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 1:5 say that since the Rosh (on Brachot 60b), Rambam (Tefilah 7:4), and S”A 4 hold that the order of the Brachot is precise and Oter Israel BeTifarah is made for having a head covering, implying that the other Brachot can be made without a Kippah (Gra 8:6 makes similar implication from Rif). Certainly then, there’s no obligation to wear a Kippah to sleep as the Leket Yosher pg 46 writes. However, Eliyah Rabba in name of the Shlah says that one should wear it to sleep as a Midat Chasidut. Mishna Brurah 2:11, Kaf HaChaim 2:18, and Halacha Brurah 2:12 bring this opinion as halacha. </ref>

# One should wear a Kippah that’s recognizable from all sides (front, back, and sides), but from Midat Chasidut one should wear one that covers majority or the entire head, especially when one is saying [[Kriyat Shema]], [[Shemoneh Esrei]], and Birkat HaMazon. <ref> Halacha Brurah 2:12 (quoting Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 1:4e), Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:1. Pri Megadim A”A 2:6 and Sh”t Elef Lecha Shlomo O”C 3 differentiate between a complete head covering which is a Midat Chasidut and a partial head covering which is an obligation. However, Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 1 argues on this distinction and adds that perhaps one can make such a distinction within the opinion of the Taz. Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 1:5 adds there’s an added concern by [[Kriyat Shema]], Shemona Esrah, and [[Birkat HaMazon]] as in Mishna Brurah 91:9 (concerning Shema) and Brachot 51a (concerning Birkat HaMazon). </ref>

# If someone is wearing a wig with which there is a cloth underneath that’s not visible to the outside, there’s a dispute whether it counts as a Kippah or not. It’s preferable to be strict especially during Tefilah and while making Brachot. <Ref> Pachad Yitzchak (20 s.v. Kama Chasif, 80 s.v. Peirukanu), Olot HaTamid 2, Sh”t Levushei Mordechai (Tanina O”C 108) say that Marit HaAyin applies to Kipah and so one should wear a Kippah on top of the wig. Maamer Mordechai 91:6 says limits it to Tefilah and Brachot. However Mekor Chaim 2:6, Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 91, and Artzot HaChaim (2, Meir LeAretz 54) argue that there’s no issue of Marit Ayin since Kippah is only a Midat Chasidut to start with. Mishna Brurah 2:12 quotes the dispute without ruling on the topic. Sh”t Chaim Shaal 2:35(1) writes that one should wear it because of Minhag. Halacha Brurah 2:15 quotes the dispute and says it’s preferable to be strict especially during Tefilah and Brachot. </ref>

# One’s hand isn’t considered a Kippah in order to make Brachot, however someone else’s hand or one’s sleeve is sufficient. <Ref> S”A 91:4 (based on Sh”t Trumat HaDeshen 10 against the Sh”t Maharshal 72 who is more lenient) rules that one’s own hand isn’t acceptable but one’s friend’s hand is acceptable. Eliyah Rabba 91:5, Taz 8:3, Machsit HaShekel 91:4, Artzot HaChaim 2:6, Mishna Brurah 2:11, Halacha Brurah 2:16 conclude that one can rely on the Maharshal to walk four [[amot]] but not to make Brachot. Bach 91 says one’s sleeve is acceptable and so is the Minhag. Mishna Brurah 2:12 and Halacha Brurah 2:16 bring this as halacha.  </ref>

# Children also should wear a Kippah to inspire Yirat Shamayim. <Ref> Magan Avraham 2:6 proves from the Gemara that a child doesn’t need a Kippah but it’s correct for them to have a Kippah to inspire Yirat SHamayim.  Eliyah Rabba 2:4, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 2:7, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 3:6, Mishna Brurah 2:11, Artzot HaChaim 6, and Halacha Brurah 2:19 concur. </ref>  

# The minhag is that unmarried women don't cover their heads, yet, it’s correct for them to wear a head covering during [[Shemoneh Esrei]]. Those who don’t wear a covering at all have what to rely on. <Ref> Yalkut Yosef (91:8, Tefilah pg 318, Sherit Yosef 2 pg 368), Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 1:5, Tzitz Eliezer 12:13, Tefilla KeHilchata quoting Echad MeGedolei HaDor </ref>